San Francisco 49ers

THE NFL

September 4, 1997

QUARTERBACK STEVE Young, kneed in the head by Tampa Bay linebacker Hardy Nickerson last Sunday, could be on the sideline Sunday against St. Louis after getting his third concussion in 10 months. Young's neurologist, Joseph Lacy, recommended he not play against the Rams. First-round draft pick Jim Druckenmiller could start at quarterback.

BRIEFLY . . .

GREEN BAY placed cornerback Craig Newsome (torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee) and kicker Brett Conway (right leg) on injured reserve, meaning both will miss the season. Packers nose tackle Gilbert Brown pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct stemming from a domestic dispute with his live-in girlfriend. Sentencing is Nov. 6. . . . Seattle added Gino Torretta, who won the Heisman Trophy at Miami in 1992, to its roster to be the No. 3 quarterback while starter John Friesz is out eight weeks because of a broken right thumb. Warren Moon is expected to start Sunday against Denver. . . . Chicago starting left guard Todd Perry is expected to miss 3-4 weeks because of a partially torn left hamstring.